Employee Spotlight: Cheryl Ulicny – Fostering Connection, Culture, and Compassion
For students navigating the world with unique needs, the right support system can literally open up the world to them. One of those world-openers is Cheryl Ulicny, a superstar Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) with Point Quest Group whose incredible work has not only transformed the life of one first-grader but has also unified an entire school community.
Her work recently gained national attention when CBS Sunday Morning featured the extraordinary story of Ben, a first-grade student whose classmates, teachers, and school staff at Campton Elementary in New Hampshire embraced American Sign Language (ASL) to ensure he felt connected and included.
A Calling That Drew Her Out of Retirement
Cheryl’s journey in education spans more than three decades. After a fulfilling 30-year career as a Teacher of the Deaf in Michigan, where she primarily worked within deep-rooted Deaf and Hard of Hearing teams, she retired and relocated to New Hampshire.
She had no intention of returning to the classroom. However, upon discovering the critical, widespread shortage of Teachers of the Deaf in New England, Cheryl’s passion took over. New Hampshire is one of the few states without a dedicated school for the deaf, meaning students are frequently mainstreamed into local districts that often lack the specialized resources required to support them.
Breaking Isolation and Transforming a School Culture
When Cheryl first began working with Ben in pre-K, his lack of language left him cut off from his peers and teachers. He was isolated, alone, and frustrated. Now, Ben is thriving, engaging with friends, and communicating in complete thoughts.
Because Cheryl didn't just teach Ben American Sign Language (ASL), she shared it with the entire school.
What began as an effort to just help one child fit in blossomed into a school-wide movement. Cheryl began signing the entire morning meeting in Ben’s general education classroom, sparking the curiosity of his classmates. Soon, kids started asking how to sign everyday phrases like, "Do you want to play with me?" or "Do you want to eat lunch together?"
Inspired by the overwhelming interest from students, Cheryl partnered with Campton’s supportive administration, including Assistant Principal Laura Alwick, to expand access to ASL. Cheryl now teaches weekly after-school ASL classes for the general education staff and holds lunchtime sessions for middle school students who are eager to connect with Ben.
"I get teachers from the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades coming to learn who don't even have Ben in class," Cheryl says. "They’ll see him in the cafeteria and walk up to sign, 'Hi Ben, what are you eating?' It is beautiful and very atypical. Everybody just wants to be included in this."
The culture of inclusion has grown so deep that the school recently put on a production of Beauty and the Beast, where students signed along to the musical numbers. Thanks to Cheryl’s guidance, school is now a completely inclusive experience for Ben.
Building an Ecosystem of Support
Cheryl’s work exemplifies the core mission of Point Quest Group: creating sustainable, collaborative systems that allow exceptional students to succeed in the least restrictive environment.
"Kids like Ben need an entire team," Cheryl emphasizes. "Communicating and advocating for them is crucial. When the right system is in place, there are no limits to what these kids can do."
Beyond her daily work with Ben, Cheryl now manages a full itinerary, splitting her time to support four deaf and hard-of-hearing students across local districts and high schools. She is also actively tackling the regional TOD shortage by mentoring and encouraging others to pursue the certification, even successfully nudging two colleagues at Campton into the certification program.
Driven by Purpose
When she isn't driving across districts to support her students or developing custom ASL-integrated writing curricula, Cheryl enjoys settling into her New Hampshire community. And while she jokes that the only resource she truly needs right now is a new car to keep up with her itinerant driving schedule, she notes that her work keeps her completely energized.
"I often think about what would have happened to Ben if I had stayed in Michigan.” Cheryl says. “With every kid that I go see, my heart is just filled. I don't feel burned out. I feel fortunate."
Point Quest Group is incredibly proud to partner with Cheryl Ulicny. Her boundless compassion, advocacy, and dedication continue to inspire our entire network and remind us of the incredible impact one person can make on a community.
Cheryl riding a motorcycle during the Laconia Motorcycle Rally in 2026
Cheryl’s Advice for Creating an Inclusive, Inquisitive Culture:
Include Everyone: "Include anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of it. Spreading the love of ASL is my number one goal."
Make it Fun: "Keep it engaging for the kids. Learn a song together, play games, and keep it positive."
Build Positive Relationships: "Focus on strong relationships between staff and students. When people feel comfortable asking questions and being curious, that's when a truly supportive culture is built."
Are you ready to join a team that makes a difference?
Explore open roles at Point Quest Group today.